BNSF fails to close crossing at this time

Stronghurst residents and individuals affected by the closing of a railroad
crossing met at 4:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church in town.

Mayor Gary Root opened the meeting, stating there would be no outbursts or those
people would be escorted out.

Approximately 75 were on hand to listen to David Johnson of the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway discuss the possible closing of the crossing at
Broadway Street.

Johnson, in charge of Public Projects for the railway offered an incentive
payment of $100,000 to the village to close the crossing. The monies would come
from BNSF, the Illinois Commerce Committee and IDOT. His first question to the
crowd was, Is the Village willing to entertain the thought?

Michael Bohnenkamp was the first to speak up. No, he said. It is too valuable
of a street.

Johnson noted that he was also from a small community and that farming is the
lifeblood of Stronghurst.

Johnson talked about the possibility of opening up Elizabeth Street, improving
that location for crossing. Ron Gitting said that Elizabeth Street is too narrow
for farm equipment. Peggy Chockley mentioned that if BNSF was to open Elizabeth,
it would take most of her yard, which is small as is, and intended for her
grandchildren to play in.

It was also noted that semi truck traffic under the viaduct and back into town
was nearly impossible.

Mayor Root asked Johnson what if the town said no? Johnson said, I don't have
enough power to close that street. Johnson went on to say the railway is
looking at this from a maintenance standpoint.( Randy Jarvis asked how much the
railway would save by closing the crossing. He suggested that the incentive the
village was offered was an insult.

Johnson said he was just given the task of finding out if the village was
willing to close the crossing. He said the final authority was the village.

When Johnson asked for a show of hands of those who were did not want the
crossing closed, nearly every hand reached upward.